Ellen 1

I much, much prefer Helen, but Ellen is still a good name.

It’s not a bad name, but kind of basic compared to how gorgeous Helen, Helena, and Elena are.

I absolutely love this name, but I could probably never use it for a daughter (due to personal family issues); it’s a really big shame. Ellen sounds so bright and cheery, with a mix of modern and classy; I don’t know why it’s no longer in use. Anyways, I totally recommend this name if you can use it!

I personally like this more then Helen.

Ellen is my name, which has throughout my changing life always seemed to fit. It has also been the case for me of finding it pretty unusual to actually encounter other Ellens. But about eight years ago I was in a small bakery in Maine when a staff member called out the name of Ellen, whose order was ready. Two others milling about the room turned around as I came forward as well. The three of us marveled that we were present together at the same time, each saying she had never run into so many Ellens before. It was as if we were triplets reuniting for a brief time! I’ve always been glad that my name is not common, even if nevertheless finding myself delighted to encounter another Ellen when it does happen.

My jerk of a step-grandmother has Ellen in her name, so I could never use it, sadly. We also have the Ellen DeGeneres association. It does sound really pretty, despite its old sound. I much prefer Helen.

Helen is prettier, and less boring.

I like Helen a lot better then Ellen.

I think Ellena or Elena looks and sounds a lot better! I don't like this name much, quite dry and boring, just boring.

Not a fan of Ellen, but it's okay as a nickname to a more formal name like Eliana which I love!

Don't really see the appeal. It seems dated to me, and not in a vintage way. I also think of Ellen DeGeneres when I hear it. I prefer Elle and Elena.

Quite boring.

Ditto. Frankly, this name is meh!

I love the name Ellen. Ellen DeGeneres ruined it for me though. I'd still use it if people wouldn't think I named my baby after her.

Y'all are obviously gonna hear this a lot but it is a pretty name. It's ruined to me, though, because of Degeneres.

Cute name, but Ellen Degenerate or whatever her name is ruined it sadly. I like the nicknames Elle and Ellie though.

I love the name Ellen so much! But...I hate Ellen DeGeneres...that makes me so sad because I love this name.

My daughter's name is Ellen! It is a very elegant, classy, strong, solid and gorgeous name! I look at this curly blonde sassy girl with beautiful green eyes and cannot imagine the better name for her!

I think Ellen is pretty, but personally I prefer Elena.

I used to like this name but that obnoxious Ellen DeGeneres ruined it for me.

As for how I imagine an Ellen, when I think of this name, I see a little girl, maybe 6 or 7-year-old, with long, slightly wavy, dark brown hair, and dark blue or green eyes. She has an oblong face and nice, pretty features, but isn't objectively very beautiful. Ellen is very intelligent, and has a difficult character. She can be explosive and bossy, and always wants to have things her way. She is very forthright and honest, often too much, and doesn't care about what people think of her. Despite she's very cunning, she never lies. Ellen is an introvert, likes her own company and has a tendency to isolate herself from others, especially from her equals, and feels inadequate towards them - either very superior because of her intellect and often different way of looking at the world or very inferior because she feels lonely and alienated and jealous of what others' lives look like. - She has a deeply sensitive nature and is a great observer. She tends to be egotistical, but at the same time might not think highly of herself. Ellen is a really clever girl. It may be hard to win her heart, and make her trust you, but if you do, she will be a real friend for you and will also value your friendship. Ellen loves to be out in nature and is interested in plants, has a good hand with animals. She can be sometimes rude to people, but will never be cruel with animals. She needs discipline but also lots of gentleness and understanding. That's just the way I imagine an Ellen when I think of this name, but I actually think this name ages very well so I can imagine a woman with this name of every age. I also don't think all Ellens are like that or should be like that, I know only one Ellen and she's not like the one I've described, that's just what comes to my mind when I think "Ellen".

I think of Degeneres (or however you spell her surname) when I hear this name, not a bad association.

Ellen is a lovely name! Classic and classy, and very feminine. I think it ages well, and has both some youthful charm and calm maturity in it. I prefer Helen, or Helena, a little more, but I think lots and lots of names related to Helena are absolutely beautiful and Ellen is one of them. It's elegant, but not overly sophisticated, very simple, and I think it works well in all kinds of situations, professional, familial, etc. There is even no need to come up with any nicknames as it is short and sweet, though I really like Ellie, or Elle, Ella, they're cute nicknames for Ellen. And you can make lots of great combos with the name Ellen either as a first or middle name, to make this name even fuller with something to complete it, to make it even more charming. Oh, and I know an Ellen, she's an awesome, kind person, always very supportive and listening to other people, and willing to help whenever she can. That's how I've always imagined an Ellen, even before I met her.

I love the name Ellen! It's just so beautiful, while also being classic, strong, and natural to say. All the good qualities of a name! The nicknames are also really cute, which is important in my opinion... Ellie, Ella, Elle, Else, Elsie, it goes on and on. I especially like it paired with Elizabeth — Elizabeth Ellen or Ellen Elizabeth.

This is my name and I really really dislike it. Please I am begging you for your daughter's sake do not name your kid this. As a child/teen I got picked on because it is very dated, old, and it sounds like a name that a grandmother would have. Please choose a different alternative like Elena, Elle, Eleanor etc.

Hate it, it sounds dated.

This is my little cousin's name. She was named Ellen for her grandma who died right before she was born. I've always called her Ellie. Until recently I didn't like it but I love it now.

I don't really get the appeal of Ellen. I much prefer the name Helen. I feel like the name Ellen lacks something. What I mean by it lacking something is that I mean I just find this name a little a bit too plain. I don't hate this name or anything, though. Ellen is way better than a lot of the modern, butchered names people are using these days.

The only problem I have with this name is that a little girl with the name Ellen just seems really weird. I like it as an adult name though.

So beautiful.

This name is nicer than Helen, in my opinion. Ellen is not so cold and standoffish.

This was my great grandmother's middle name that she went by. I always wanted to name my daughter this but because of my last name being Page I can't. I hate when people give their kids celebrity names.

This name is simple, pretty, and fun. To add to its spunk, it's bourne by actress Ellen Page and the spectacular Ellen DeGeneres, and it's packaged with the adorable nickname Nell/y.

It's nice and simple. It's my grandmother's middle name.

A little on the dull side, but it's still a nice name.

The only problem with Ellen is that it sounds like you're saying Helen but with a really English cockney accent.

This is my name and I think it's a great name. It kind of sounds like ln, the abbreviation for natural log. I'm surprised to see that it's been falling so much in popularity; it's a solid name.

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My favorite nickname for this name is Nelle because it's Ellen backwards, and Elle and Ellie seem too insubstantial.

I think Ellen is very classic and feminine without being too ornate or boring. Love it!

I find it very boring, but at least it's not tacky, trashy, or ditzy in sound. It's got a pleasant sound and all, but it's very dull.

It's very pretty as a middle name. I think it goes well with the first name Kimberly: Kimberly Ellen.

This is my first name. I used to really hate my name because I felt that only old people had it, but I've grown to love it. I think it looks better lowercase, and I often use 'elle' online or 'LN'.

I love the name Ellen. It's so classic.

I think Ellen is a lovely name, pretty and unpretentious.

Ellen must be a pretty good name. No one put any negative comments on the comment page about it. It seems like a very admired name.

My name is Ellen. I love it, I think it is pretty but simple and fits my personality. It is also short enough not to evoke nicknames. I also pefer it not capitalized and I like the spelling with a 'Y': "Ellyn", though I will stick with the spelling I've got.

I love this name! I found out that it means "bright" in Greek, I believe!

It's lovely.